Immune / Pulmonary

Aviptadil (VIP)

Also: Vasoactive intestinal peptide · VIP · Zyesami

Synthetic form of vasoactive intestinal peptide, a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide that relaxes smooth muscle and calms inflammation.

Discussion

Overview

What it is

VIP occurs naturally in the gut, lungs and nerves. Synthetic VIP (aviptadil) was tested IV and inhaled for respiratory failure, including COVID-19, with inconclusive results. In some countries it is injected with phentolamine for erectile dysfunction.

Common forms

IV infusion (trials)Inhaled (trials)Intracavernosal injection with phentolamine (some countries)

Mechanism

How it works

Activates VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors, raising cAMP. That relaxes blood-vessel and airway muscle and lowers inflammatory cytokine release.

VPAC1 / VPAC2 → cAMPVasodilationBronchodilationCytokine suppression

↑Blood-vessel dilation

↑Airway dilation

↓Inflammatory cytokines

Evidence

What the research supports

Erectile dysfunction (injected with phentolamine)moderate

Respiratory failure in critical COVID-19limited

Safety

Side effects & interactions

Side effects

Flushing
Low blood pressure
Diarrhea
Marked drop in blood pressure serious
Rapid heart rate serious

Medications

Blood-pressure-lowering drugsmoderateAdditive drop in blood pressure.
PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil)moderateAdditive vasodilation.

Community

Discussion

Experiences from people who have tried Aviptadil (VIP). Anecdotes are not medical advice.

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